Newsagencies in Paris
Off the main thoroughfare and tucked into small spaces of between 20 and 30 sq metres are these presse shops – newsagencies French style. I’ve been into five so far an their range of magazines is excellent – at least 800 titles. In a fan type display along shelves – no full face displays here, not even for the high volume titles. Their lottery products take up much of the counter with tobacco products behind the counter. No stationery. No greeting cards. They don’t have room – each of the shops I have see so far is tiny. If I had paid more attention during French classes in high school I might have more to say about their trading terms. One owner I spoke with said “business no good” but his wife then jabbed him as if to say he always says that. What has been consistent is their shingle PRESSE is bold and clear atop each one.
Partworks are popular here in France. I took this photo of one issue of a Mr Magoo partworks which republishes the 1960s TV Series. It’s a title I never expected to see as a partwork series. But now that I think about, there are plenty of series from this era which would sell. Maybe we will follow Europe on this like we do so many other partwork titles.
I arrived in Paris this afternoon and the first business I happened to see was La Poste, the French Post Office. This one I visited sold stamps and postal products. No books, calendars, cards, soft toys, wine coolers, picnic sets – none of the items which Australia Post and the Government seem to think are essential to Australia Post’s operation.
To recover sales lost this week when the current issue was pulled from sale due to a production fault, next week’s That’s Life comes out Monday – two days earlier than usual. Based on comments across our counter, customers will be happy. One consequence of That’s Life being unavailable is a lift in sales of Take 5.
A year ago I declared in this place that 
Two ladies at our counter on Saturday reminded me of the difference between an independent small business retailer and a mass merchant. They put a smile on my face and the faces of those around me including other customers who watched as they played with and giggles at these stamps which light up when you press them down.
Sales for these and similar titles are plummeting. Down more than 25% this year. People interested in looking for businesses, property and acreage to purchase look online. These titles and others similar lose money for us every month. The publishers must be losing money too – unless their advertisers do not know that sales are way down.
In the two weeks to the close of business tonight, unit sales of Christmas cards and wrap in our shop are up 26% compared to 2005. Other categories are tracking growth less than half that. By going big and bold with cards is paying off. We are having exceptional success with Hallmark boxed cards.
This is one Australia Post product I am not going to complain about. It’s appropriate they sell a Stress Buster to their customers. In fact, it’s an essential customer service. What with the long lines and poor customer service in their Government owned stores their customers need some relief.
Who Sank the Boat? is a children’s book promoted on the front page of the latest Australia Post catalogue. It was also a question many were asking on hearing of the 
Based on sales in our shop we need two mustang titles. While Mustang lovers might disagree, they are not paying for our real-estate. Committing these five pockets means $17.50 a month in labour and real-estate. To break-even on that we need $33.65 in sales. Some months we achieve that, other months we do not. While I can cut the titles, the way the magazine supply model works is that replacement titles find their way onto the shelves and I will soon be at five Mustang titles or more.